Speaking at a seminar on ‘Road Safety‘ at a medical institute, he expressed concern over rising
number of youths dying in road mishaps.
“If there is a good motorcycle, a good mobile and a good girlfriend then accidents are bound to happen,” the chief minister said.

He said nearly 55-60% road accident victims are youth. “It’s a common sight to see youngsters driving two-wheelers while talking on cellphones which often leads to accidents. Youths should avoid such habits,” Singh said.

Achhi motorcycle, achha mobile aur teesra agar achhi girlfriends ho to accident hona hi hona hai. Ek haath se baat kiye ja raha hai, aur speed badhata ja raha hai. Jhagda hua to brake maarega aur takrayega… bande ko fir kuch hosh nahi rehta ( Nice bike, nice cellphone and especially if you have a nice girlfriend then accident is inevitable…. If there is a tiff (between the two), he would apply brakes and hit against something…The youth then cares for nothing),” Singh said. “Earlier we felt that bad roads were the cause of accidents, so we constructed good roads but I was surprised to know that the number of accidents went up,” the CM added. He later said that sisters should gift helmets to their brothers.

He lamented that while people are ready to spend thousands of rupees to buy motorcycles but are reluctant to purchase helmets which cost just a few hundred rupees.

Opposition Congress was quick to condemn Singh’s remarks terming them as a ploy to divert attention from government’s failure to curb road accidents.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly Ravindra Chaube said bad roads and corruption in transport department are main reasons for fatalities on road.